Commentary on the state, from abortion to contraception, the tongue in cheek guide to effective banking, Spanish yields and German tempers, what corporate bonds tell us about the future of equity prices, and Canada’s bull loonie run.

The state, can’t live with it, can’t live without it.

Financial Times -- The right must learn to love the state again
When asked to contribute to this series on the future of conservatism, I hesitated because it seemed to me that in both the US and Europe what was most needed was not a new form of conservatism but rather a reinvention of the left.

Related.

Project Syndicate -- What Role for the State?
The financial crisis of 2008 has spurred a global debate on how much government regulation of markets – and what kind – is appropriate.

Russia’s mafia state.

Economist -- The empty Kremlin
Vladimir Putin’s regime has run out of ideas, but not of nasty tactics.

Take your pick.

New York Times -- From Abortion to Contraception
Eka, a short brunette with brown eyes highlighted by green eyeliner, is by several measures the average Georgian woman. She has a high-school degree, a job, a husband, two children, and at age 30, has had, over the course of her eight years of married life, four abortions.

The new golden rules.

Vanity Fair -- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Bankers
Lessons from the book that the late Stephen Covey didn’t get around to writing.

Spanish yields rising and so are German tempers.

Telegraph -- Spanish debt crisis returns as Germany nears bailout fatigue
Spanish borrowing costs have surged to euro-era highs despite draconian fiscal cuts and backing from the German parliament for the country’s €100bn (£78bn) bank rescue package.

Global deflation here to stay?

Charlie Fell – Reflation or deflation?
The financial markets are in disagreement.

The Canadian dollar rebounds.

Globe and Mail -- Canadian dollar on 'full-fledged secular bull run'
The Canadian dollar almost made it back to parity this week, but pulled back Friday amid a general malaise in the markets.